Help me liven up my regular routes!

[Embellina]

Ladies:

I find myself riding the same routes fairly often because I'm comfortable on them and they aren't heavily trafficked. I like feeling safe, but at the same time, the scenery is getting a little monotonous. Do any of you do any drills while riding to keep things interesting?

Thanks!
Emily

[cindysue]

my boyfriend is the same way about restaurants, but whenever we try something new, he is usually pleasantly surprised.

Explore! There is so much to see and so many new challenges to overcome.

go to your local bike clubs website and check out some new routes

[DeniseGoldberg]

I agree with Cindy - it's a good thing to explore!

But, that said, I also often ride the same routes, especially this time of year. When it's cold out I tend to ride shorter loops so that if the weather should happen to change I am not that far from home. I've found that it helps to ride the routes in reverse rather than always riding the same direction, and to add some small loops though neighborhoods where I usually don't ride.

--- Denise

[anne_77]

It might be safer to vary your routes so you're not as predictable to strangers.

[bikerHen]

I also seem to frequent the same routes and they do get a little stale. I surprised and amazed myself by turning a block before my regular turn one day and was rewarded with a whole new and interesting street to look at. I do this alot now, small changes but still in "safe, known" areas. Try it out it's lots of fun! BikerHen

[Deanna]

If you're not ready to venture to new routes, you can try riding them in reverse direction (if you haven't already). The scenery will look different and hills frequently have a different profile depending on the direction you go up.

[Veronica]

You can also try changing your gearing and doing a super spin on a section, or going hard every other light post.

V.

[Trekhawk]

If I decide to try a new route I drive it in the car first nice and slow so I can get the feel for it. If it is full of mad dogs or something like that I try some other route. Driving it first helps me to feel a little better prepared as I cycle on my own. Having said that it is nice to just wander and find new views etc. The other day I ventured down a long hill which I normally turn at the top of and found a whole new area to ride with amazing mountain views. Hmm the down side was the climb back up the hill.

[CorsairMac]

If I decide to try a new route I drive it in the car first nice and slow so I can get the feel for it. If it is full of mad dogs or something like that I try some other route. Driving it first helps me to feel a little better prepared as I cycle on my own. Having said that it is nice to just wander and find new views etc. The other day I ventured down a long hill which I normally turn at the top of and found a whole new area to ride with amazing mountain views. Hmm the down side was the climb back up the hill.

so would that be your version of "Up the Down Hill"?

ok so now I"m out of control coz I was also thinking "Up the Down Side"

or maybe Down the Up Side? hmmmmmmmm.................

[Trekhawk]

so would that be your version of "Up the Down Hill"?

ok so now I"m out of control coz I was also thinking "Up the Down Side"

or maybe Down the Up Side? hmmmmmmmm.................

LOL - not sure but which ever it was It wasnt pretty. I was looking like I could use an emergency response team by the time I got to the top.

[Embellina]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions! I'll try reversing my route and branching out a little beyond my comfort zone...

And perhaps we can file my previous post in the category of speaking too soon. My ride today (on my very regular route) surprised me and turned out to be absolutely fascinating. About halfway through, I decided to try going no-hands. I entertained myself for a good 20 minutes trying to keep my balance and even succeeded in sitting up for a few seconds at a time! Coming from a klutzy girl who would never have attempted this as a child, this was a big feat! Still a ways to go before I can throw both my hands in the air at a sprint finish, though!

It's wonderful when rides inspire you and you discover you're capable of more than you thought!

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions! I'll try reversing my route and branching out a little beyond my comfort zone...

And perhaps we can file my previous post in the category of speaking too soon. My ride today (on my very regular route) surprised me and turned out to be absolutely fascinating. About halfway through, I decided to try going no-hands. I entertained myself for a good 20 minutes trying to keep my balance and even succeeded in sitting up for a few seconds at a time! Coming from a klutzy girl who would never have attempted this as a child, this was a big feat! Still a ways to go before I can throw both my hands in the air at a sprint finish, though!

It's wonderful when rides inspire you and you discover you're capable of more than you thought!

congrats on the riding no-handed. Thats one of those skills you may never really need - but boy it's sure nice to have when you DO need it!

[RoadRaven]

If you have to stay on the same routes, then, like Veronica, I suggest doing it in varied ways...

Spin in small chain ring only...

Monster big gears and pretend you are in a time trial...

Do intervals...

Try and stay at one speed no matter the terrain....